Estates contributing to the Scottish economy

Scottish estates mean business more than pleasure, according to a speaker at Scottish Land & Estates’ AGM.

And the overwhelming majority of Scotland’s 3000-plus rural estates are business ventures making a collective multi-million pound contribution to the economy.

Estate businesses continue to be heavily involved in the primary rural industries of farming and forestry, as well as country sports, but are accelerating activity in other sectors such as energy, tourism, retail and leisure.

Speaking at Scottish Land & Estates’ AGM in Perth today, chairman David Johnstone, said: ‘Every economic indicator in the last 15 years has demonstrated clearly the economic contribution of estate businesses and that continues to grow.

‘There are more than 3000 landholdings that can loosely be described as estates. These are too easily characterised in the minds of the public and politicians as being places primarily for the pleasure of the landowner.

‘There are some estates which are owned and managed from a much-valued recreational perspective but the reality is that the vast majority are operated as businesses.

‘In line with other business sectors we are facing a time of unprecedented challenge against a backdrop of Brexit. What is hugely encouraging to see is the extent to which estate businesses are continuing to strive to develop and diversify. Farm shops, distilleries, energy schemes, tourism initiatives are springing up on estates all over Scotland and benefitting the wider Scottish rural economy.

‘A key challenge for these rural businesses is to spare no effort in making everyone aware they are a key part of the fabric of rural Scotland.’

Sarah Jane Laing, executive director of Scottish Land & Estates

Sarah Jane Laing, executive director of Scottish Land & Estates, told the meeting that the organisation had adapted to deal with the multitude of issues that are arising in a fast-moving legislative and regulatory landscape.

She said: ‘There is no question that the pace of change quickens every year and we represent a sector that has a combined turnover approaching £1 billion per annum.

‘It heartening to see the business activities of estates becoming not only more visible but also celebrated through our Helping it Happen initiative and other schemes and hopefully that recognition will continue to develop.

‘As an organisation we have become more agile at local, regional and national level to meet successfully the challenges our sector encounters, and increase the proactive element of our work. We are therefore confident we are equipped to deal with what is certain to be an eventful foreseeable future.’